1,443 out of work in Ballymena

Ballymena Sign.

The number of people registering as out of work in Ballymena saw an increase last month, up 40.

According to the latest figures from the Department of Enterprise, the claimant count in the borough now stands at 1,443, compared to 1,403 in June.

Wards within the borough registering the most claimant counts for unemployment in July were - Castle Demesne with 111 (119 in June), Ballee and Harryville, both with 106 (104 and 102, respectively in June), and Ballykeel with 105 claimants (compared with 103 the previous month).

The ward with the lowest claimant count in July was Slemish with 17, a rise of four persons on June.